Can you believe we
are halfway through our Region 'A' Rally Season? I really can't get my head
wrapped around that fact. Seems we just kicked off the Rally Season in Florida,
then South Carolina and here we are today just in from the Bama Jamming District
Rally held in Mobile, AL. That means we have Georgia coming up June 22-24, in
Dalton, GA, then the Mississippi District Rally October 12-14, in Gulfport, MS,
then the bodacious "Rip Roaring 20's" Southeast Region 'A' Rally Oct
26-28 at the fabulous Lakepoint Lodge and Convention Center. By the way, when
you call the Lodge for a reservation, if they indicate they are sold-out don't
let that deter you. Please ask to be put on the waiting list for Lodge rooms. In
many instances a room will become available at some point. By chance if no Lodge
rooms open up there are rustic-cabins situated in the immediate forest right on
site that are still available. Last accounting all the cottages sitting right on
the water have been reserved.

So, that means we
basically have three Rallies left in our Region for 2017 and if you haven't been
able to attend one this year there are still several opportunities coming up
fast. As Sue always tells me, plan it and it will happen. Really would like to
see each of you attend a couple of Rallies in our Region this year. Just for
information the District and Region Rallies are the District's and Region's few
opportunities to generate operating revenue as no funds are forthcoming or
shared from the Home-Office.

Besides our three
Rallies left in Region 'A' let's not forget the "Big-Booty-Shaker" of
them all and that is Wing Ding 39 which will be in Grapevine, Texas for 2017.
This will be our second time tracking out to Grapevine for this bodacious event
being held in the "The Republic of Texas." And folks everything is
"BIG" in Texas. It's not to early to plan that fabulous tour-ride.
Hope to see many of you in Grapevine. By the way, Region 'A' will have the same
responsibilities this year at the Ding as we covered in Billings. We will be
working the "On-Site & Day Pass" Registration Stations. If you
have a couple of hours to volunteer helping us, please notify your District
Director and let him know when you will be available. We sincerely appreciate
your valuable time.

By the way, Georgia
and Mississippi continue to operate without District Trainers. Georgia and
Mississippi Members please take a look around and encourage your favorite folks
to perhaps step-up in the leadership position of Trainer for your District.

As we get more into
the Summer riding, let's keep our eyes open and our heads up. Watch out for the
other guy because he isn't watching for you.

I
know we all do our T-CLOCKS and check what we know to check before
starting our ride.Right?
Recently I noticed during my check that my front shocks had started to
leak around the fork seal. So, I took my 2004 Goldwing to the Alabama
Rally to have the seals replaced.

It’s
a good thing I did.When I
went to check on the progress of the work the mechanic asked me if I had
noticed any vibration.I
said yes, when riding at times I noticed a slight vibration at 45 mph and
after that it would go away.When
I first noticed it, I check everything I knew to look for and could find
nothing wrong, everything looked good to me. I thought it may just be the
road as it didn’t happen every time. He said, while he was removing the
front fork’s he discovered that the bearings in the steering were
damaged.Three of the bearings
had dislodged from the retaining ring. He said that the bad bearings are
what most likely caused the vibration. After the repairs were completed,
the Wing rides and handles like new (The vibration is no longer present).

The
moral of the story is when you feel something like a vibration, the
handling is different or you hear something that’s not normal and your
unable to find the problem, take it to a qualified mechanic for a good
once over. You and your co-rider’s life is worth the cost.

Riding
safe starts before you ride.Inspect
your Equipment and remember “WEAR ALL THE GEAR
ALL THE TIME.”

This past weekend I helped my home chapter with a Motorist
Awareness Rest Stop Event at the rest area on the Interstate in our
county.Until it was a good
opportunity to talk with motorist – both riders and non-riders when
they stopped by our booth for literature, brochures, yard signs, and
refreshments.The riders
were thankful that we were trying to get the message out and the
non-riders said they always try to look for motorcycles.All commented that they were glad we were there to spread the
word about sharing the road with other vehicles.

The local highway patrol also stopped to chat and he also
wished us luck in our endeavors of spreading the word to watch for
motorcycles.

It was eye-opening that so many motorists were concerned
enough to share their feelings with us.One even commented that he wished motorcyclist would be more
careful and watch for cars!(He
couldn’t have been talking about Gold Wingers!)

May is motorcycle awareness month and I hope your members
cared enough to share awareness of motorcyclists and smaller vehicles.Get out and let people know you ride and ask them to look for you
every time they get on the highway.It will make life safer for all of us.Until next time, see you on the road.

·Instills…gradually
but firmly establish an idea or attitude, especially a desirable one in a
person’s mind.

·Chapter…the
people in a certain area who make up one section of a large organization.

·Pride…a
feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own
achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely
associated.

For
years we have tried to instill in people that participation is a key
factor in enhancing any event they may attend. Having completed the
Florida, South Carolina & Alabama District Rallies so far this year,
we found ourselves talking about how pleased we were to see the number of
Chapters and people taking part in the different events. Another thing we
saw this year, more so than in previous years, is the pride Chapters
displayed with their accomplishments. Even when a Chapter didn’t have
the desired outcome of an event, their sense of pride still showed because
they were involved.

We
are sure that as you are reading this you are thinking we are talking
about the different competitions like the Talent Show, Costume Contest,
Chapter Shirt, Chapter Challenge, Mascot and so on. Well you are partially
correct! We say partially because Chapter participation comes in so many
forms.

Watching
a Chapter as they get behind their Couple of the Year at the selection.
Seeing the response of a Chapter when they were selected as the District
Chapter of the Year. Hearing a Chapter cheer as they are named Largest
Chapter Outside the District at Closing Ceremonies. These are all forms of
Chapter Participation that Install Chapter Pride.

So
what are the benefits of this participation and pride? First and foremost
is a stronger, healthier Chapter that will tend to take this pride and use
it in everything they do. Another benefit is for those Chapter
Participants that don’t necessarily get involved for any number of
reasons, they now want to participate because they listen to the FUN
people are having. The last thing that we have seen is, when a Chapter
participates it will carry over to bringing in new members and/or keeping
current members. We have seen Chapters describe to potential new members
their accomplishments and this sense of prides rubs off to those potential
members.

So
if you want to instill Chapter Pride you need to encourage Participation
in all events. That also includes participating with your home Chapter at
their scheduled events. There are all kinds of things you can do but it
all starts with participating.

Wow,
we had 2 rallies in May.We
are not sure if we can stand any more fun.South Carolina started the month in the historic town of Beaufort.There were three guided rides each morning and afternoon to give
everyone a chance to see all three - Paris Island Museum, the old Sheldon
Church and Fort Fremont.Good
food close by, ice cream, pizza and good friends.What more could you want?

A
couple of weeks later, we were in Mobile for the Alabama District Rally.Did you still have your TV set from last year's rally?We did, but not the winning one!We had a great meal - brisket and veggies and dessert.There was an ice cream truck with your choice of several
specialties, some good vendors and some seminars, Bingo, a first aid
renewal class.What a blast!It is a shame we had to come home a day early but that was for a
church ceremony for a new high school graduate.

Our
objective is not to find a bunch of people who want to take the Instructor
Training and Certification Program Class.Our job is to insure that those who are interested in this class
can have an opportunity to attend one.That is our duty as a Certified Instructor Trainer.As your Region A Trainer, our job is to help the District Trainers
help everyone who would like to attend a seminar or module (that is what
we call the new training presentations), find someone to teach it and a
place where it can be taught.Balancing
supply and demand is another way to look at it.Actions depend on someone having a desire for training.We are not trying to say it is your fault or your job, but it
really does depend on YOU - our GWRRA members.

If you are still on the fence regarding
trying this new training, why not contact your District Trainer, or me,
and watch the videos to help you decide.If after watching, you are not interested, you have spent a little
time but have not made a commitment.If
you then want to learn more, complete the inquiry form and you will be put
on the waiting list for a class.

Recently,
while returning from a District rally, I had to ride the freeway home.
This is not something I normally do but time and weather was the deciding
factor for this.

During
my ride I began to pay closer attention as cars passed and was amazed to
the number texting and talking on their phones. One even had a computer
set up and was actually typing as he drove. I know this is not a
revelation because we see it everyday.

It
is just a reminder to be prepared. Having an awareness of surroundings and
a First Aid kit in case something happens.

Since
I'm such a quiet introverted individual, I really don't have much news
to share on the Treasurer side of the GWRRA. Financial Reports still
weren't working last I checked. Alas, what is one to do that is not
trained in Excell. We volunteers sometimes have real challenges thrown
at us. We get by with the help of our "Winging" friends.
Everyone pulling together gets it done.

Enjoying
seeing good friends as we make the 2017 District Rallies. FL, SC and AL
did a great job. Looking forward to GA in June and MS in October
followed by our Region A Rally also in October.